Dealing with anxiety and distractions | Luke 10:38–42
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· 8 viewsMary and Martha. The one thing necessary is to sit at Jesus feet and listen to his word.
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Introduction: How do we deal with anxiety and distractions as a disciple of Jesus?
Introduction: How do we deal with anxiety and distractions as a disciple of Jesus?
(A) Netflix:
The Social dilemma 2020. Netflix documentary. Explores the dangerous human impact of social networking.
Big tech companies. Algorithams and Systems -> Lure us. manipulate our emotions.
Omnious quote in trailer. “A whole generation is more anxious, more depressed.”
(L) whether believe or not -> we can perhaps identify with that quote.
V - I’m not privy to what is going on in most of your lives. But perhaps there may be as aspect of life that is creating anxiety.
Work related anxiety:
Some hold significant positions at work. Fail deliverable > consequences for many people. Pressure to manage well.
For others. uncertainty in work > anxiety. job as risk. or role not clear. > concerns about pulling weight. self-worth.
Family
Not a parent myself. But can sympathise with the challenge of raising a family. Responsibility that parents feel to parent well.
Not a parent. Pressure of taking care of older parents.
Practical: on top of that, housing extension. builders are giving you a real headache.
We all experience anxiety due to the complexity of life.
Even teenagers are not spared. Captains > School work. Sports teams. music classes. Being liked by friends.
(A) spinning multiple plates. trying to not drop the ball.
(L) But not only do we experience anxiety from the complexity of life. We also experience it as a disciple of Jesus.
In our series in Luke we’ve been reminded about the costly nature of following Jesus.
Following Jesus, requries taking up our cross. following him the path of shame and humility.
Following Jesus is to be willing to proclaim. The harvest is plentiful, so we must go out to boldly speak about him
Following Jesus is a call to radical love. Like the good samaritan.
V - “Find it hard to love self. let alone others.”
Anxiety is the rust of life, destroying its brightness and weakening its power.
Unknown
Summarise: so how do we deal with anxiety as a disciple of Jesus?
Coming to church. Not easy. Not sure that you’ll make it today. on your best sunday face and be here. -> well done.
Let’s see what God is saying to us today
Context
Context
Anxiety as a disciple of Jesus - not new.
Early church grapple with anxiety.
The normal anxieties of life - what to eat, what to drink, what to wear.
At risk of going against the grain of society.
Lost of job, reputation.
worst case - hauled up by authorities for following Jesus.
^ God speaks into that situation
Luke 9:51, New section in Luke. Jesus sets his face to Jerusalem.
Runs all the way to 19:28. Section all about following Jesus.
Beings with Jesus sending out the 72. When they come back, hear an interesting prayer
Luke 10:21 “In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”
The wise and understanding - who does that refer to? any guesses?
Probably personified by the lawyer we saw last week.
Tests Jesus. Justifies himself.
How about the little children? - Who does that refer to? any guesses?
Luke 10:38–39 “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.”
Martha and Mary, two characters who are disciples of Jesus. Little children to the heavenly father.
More than that, they are there to teach us about discipleship in an anxious world.
Q: How do we deal with anxiety as disciples of Jesus?
We have just one point today - we need to understand the one thing that is necessary for disciples.
Point 1 - The one thing necessary for the disciple of Jesus
Point 1 - The one thing necessary for the disciple of Jesus
Luke 10:38 “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.”
The fact that Martha “Welcomed Jesus into her house” very significant.
Welcome / receive -> marks out a true disciples
Other references on the sheet.
Draw attention to 10:8 and 10.
Luke 10:8 “Whenever you enter a town and they receive (or welcome) you, eat what is set before you.”
Luke 10:10–11 “But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive (welcome) you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’”
See the point? welcoming or receiving (same word) Jesus’ disciples marks out true disciples of Jesus.
Martha, welcomes Jesus into her house -> true disciple.
(L) But Martha is not the only disciple.
Luke 10:39 “And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.”
Again to “listen to Jesus’ words” very significant
Those who listen to his words - a true disciple.
(A) at the transfiguration. Jesus in his dazzling God. The Father’s voice booming from the cloud.
“This is my son.... LISTEN to him!”
Mary, listens to Jesus -> she is a true disciple.
Quick aside before we continue the narrative. Worth mentioning that the way Jesus relates to women, is revolutionary.
1st C, Jewish woman were not normally sitting to learn from Rabbis’. Typically the perogative of the men.
Yet, here. Jesus has an exalted view of women.
In fact, throughout Luke, Jesus has an exalted view of women.
Mary, the mother of Jesus is called “blessed”
Many women accompanied Jesus in his ministry (8:1-3)
Mary and Martha here, learning from him.
Accusations against Christians as misogynistic
Cannot accuse Jesus as a misogynist
Recognistion of women did not start By feminist movement.
long ago. Jesus. Even the first words to humanity.
Do speak to me more if you like. There are helpful resources to read around this topic.
Mary and Martha. two characters who are clear disciples of Jesus.
Two characters that we are to learn from. welcoming him and to listening to him...
(L) excepted that’s not how the story unfolds
Luke 10:38–40 “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving.
To feel the force of these words we need to understand ME hospitatlity.
(A) Has anyone experienced ME hospitality?
Matilda and I, visited Iran. Several years ago. Interesting. Flights were cheap.
Taste of ME hospitality -> bizzare.
Bus. Traveling from one city to another. Get chatting to someone. total random stranger. What does he do?
Invites us for lunch. We go have lunch with him.
Walk on the street. Hear loud music. Wedding. Guess what happens?
Yup invites us to attend the wedding. Obviously, men and women are separated, so Matilda gets whisked away.
Some of us were at Rohan and Claire’s wedding, can you imagine them inviting “random asian tourists” off the street to join the wedding?
Sense of ME hospitality.
But add on a distinguished guest.
Jesus. The most famous preacher, miracle healer...
What does that mean?
There was much serving.
(A) Put yourself in Martha’s shoes.
Planning the meal. Jesus, 12 disciples. 13 +1 +1 = 15.
Starter, Main, Pudding.
These guys, men on the move. What if they’re hungry? Cook for 20? no 25.
Runs to local sainsbury.
Comes home. With bags.
Watch -> 3hrs!! No time!
Frantic peeling chopping.
Four pans high heat on the stove.
Smell of delicious food fills the air
Same time, beads of sweat, running down her forehead.
Kitchen -> Bomb has gone off
and then..
“Ding Dong!” “They’re here!”
“Mary! Please get the plates out!”
no reply.
“Mary! Get the plates out!”
No reply.
“MARY! THE PLATES!!”
no reply.
Rushes out the kitchen.
“MARY!!!” GET.....”
What does she see?
verse 39 - Mary. Sat at the Lord’s feet. Listening to his teaching.
With tears of frustration starting to flow. She walks up the Jesus, says
Luke 10:40 “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
Martha - a genuine disciple of Jesus
Wants to serve him. Good things.
Programmes to accomplish.
Events to organise
Rotas to fill.
Ministries to maximise
People to love
Gospel to proclaim
all good things.
(L) that’s why Jesus’ reply is so surprising.
In a warm, gentle rebuke. Luke 10:41–42 “But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.””
Reading your bible
Meditating on scripture
Memorising bible verses
Thinking, processing, chewing over God’s word
These are not a good thing.
Grace Groups, opening God’s word to study it together
This is not a good thing.
Sundays service, listening to God’s word being preached
This is not a good thing
Yup, you heard me right.
It is not A good thing.
It is THE GOOD THING
Luke 10:41–42“But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.””
The one thing necessary, the good portion is to sit and Jesus feet and listen to him.
^ the point here isn’t to differentiate between how you listen to Jesus.
Personal? One to one? Group? Sundays?
The point is simply - are you listening? Are you listening to Jesus?
That is the one thing that is necessary.
Martha and Mary - both genuine disciples of Jesus
One serves
One listens
And we think we’re suppose to add them together.
And don’t hear me wrong, serving Jesus IS a mark of a genuine disciple
(L) but it is just interesting that the narrative isn’t teaching us to add Martha and Mary together but to compare and contrasts them.
To understand what is fundamental, basic, essential of a disciple of Jesus.
Summary
Summary
In the stress and anxiety of life. Spinning all the different plates. Work, family, personal, church.
How does a disciple of Jesus deal with the anxiety and stress of this world?
It is to realise the one thing that is necessary, the good portion. Listening to words of Jesus.
Reinforcement
Reinforcement
(A) Like to imagine as Luke was compiling his eye witness testimony.
Must be aware about the anxiety that many followers of Jesus face as they stand contrary to society.
Day to day anxiety of life
Pressure and risk of being a disciple
Wondering - How will these disciples be encouraged?
imagine, Martha talking to Luke.
“I’ve got a story to tell”
“It was the day when Jesus came to my house.”
“I was SOOO angry you cannot imagine.”
“I was so afraid the dinner party would fail”
“I was very anxious and very distracted”
“But the Lord was right”
“There is only one thing necessary. That is to sit at his feet and listen to him.”
(L) Next bit - reflecting on two aspects
Distractions from listening
Importance of listening
Application
Application
Distractions from listening
What is it that distractions us from listening to Jesus? Let’s learn from Martha.
Luke 10:40 “But Martha was distracted with much serving.
(1) Firstly, much serving can be a distraction from listening
Again, please don’t hear wrongly. Serving is good.
And there is much serving needed in Grace Church.
Set up. Set down. Welcome. Refreshments. Music.
Even leading bible studies and preaching.
But even good things can become a distraction from really listening.
And I think this is right, and Michaela would also agree with me I’m sure.
If you’ve grown cold in your relationship with Jesus and stopped listening to him.
It might be the right thing to stop serving.
Of course, we love for you to come back and serve again. But it cannot come at a cost of listening to him.
(A) many christian burn out, constantly serving but forgotten to prioritise listening to Jesus.
First distraction - Martha was distracted by MUCH serving.
(2) Secondly, discontentment and bitterness with the Lord
Yes we are meant to sympathise with Martha, and indeed Jesus is gentle and warm to her.
But notice the tone is her voice
Luke 10:40 “And she went up to him and said, “Lord! do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.””
Vertically, there is bitterness and resentment towards the Lord.
imagine her storming up to him. Demanding him.
Her question is rethorical. Almost manipulative - do you not care? obviously you should care, so why don’t you care?
Serving has become about herself. There is bitterness and resentment towards the Lord.
(L) and that’s common isn’t it.
We can so busy ourselves serving him to the point we think that he owes us.
And when things don’t go the way we want.
We can get bitter and discontented.
And when we resent him stop listening.
Are you feeling bitter against the Lord?
(L) not only vertial but also
Horizontally, the relationship with other Christians has soured.
Martha can’t even speak to Mary.
“Tell her then to help me.”
Bitterness towards other Christians. I’m serving more than them.
V - worth checking ourselves. Have we grown bitter towards other Christians?
Has that become an obstacle from us listening to Jesus?
Distractions from listening:
First, much serving
second, bitterness and discontentment
(3) Thirdly, anxiety and trouble
Luke 10:41 “But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,”
Thinking about this at the start of this talk - anxieties of life.
This theme will be a recurring theme in the next few chapters - 12:22 “Do not be anxious”
The Lord knows that disciples of Jesus experiences anxiety and troubles in life.
But at the same time, he is aware that the troubles and cares of life can choke the word and become distractions from listening to him.
Good chance to pause and reflect
Have the anxieties of life distracted you from listening to his word?
Have the troubles of this world pulled you away from listening to him?
V - It’s crisis time for our Institutional church at the moment.
Perhaps lots of things to be anxious and troubled about.
And yes, there may be lots to do and to fix. processes to put in place.
But the one thing that is necessary - go back to Jesus’ words and listen to him.
Three distractions from listening
Much serving
Bitterness and discontentment
Anxiety and trouble
(L) Lastly reflect on the importance of listening.
The importance of listening.
We’ve seen that Martha and Mary are both disciples of Jesus - but Mary has chosen the good portion by listening to Jesus.
This theme of listening and not listening to word of God - runs throughout Luke’s gospel.
Another Mary, mother of Jesus - receives a word. Believes and trust in it - called blessed.
Contrasts Zechariah, father of John the baptist - recieves a word. Doesn’t not believe. and is rendered mute.
Jesus’ great sermon in Luke’s gospel ends with a call to listen to do the word of God.
The one who listens to his word is like a wise man who builds his house on the rock
The one who does not listen is like a foolish man who builds his house with no foundation.
Immediately washed away.
The parable of the sower
Four soils.
Three where the word does not take root
the fourth soil - those who hear the word, hold fast —> will bear fruit.
In fact, God’s people from the beginning of history are marks by those who listen to him.
God is described a speaking God, the one who speaks creation into existence.
His people are those who listen to him
And as we saw in the transfiguration
It centres on his Son. Listen to him! the voice says, Listen to him!
(L) And this helps us to understand this episode between Mary and Martha
Again, serving is a good thing. It is good and right to serve the Lord
But if the Lord of the universe is speaking next door.
It is right for Martha, to pause. Turn the stoves off. Put aside her anxiety and trouble
And sit at his feet and listen to him.
Listening to him is the good thing. It is the one thing necessary.
So if career is going well.. but you aren’t listening to him.
There’s something not right.
If studies are going well… but you aren’t listening to him.
There’s something not right.
(Pause)
My encouragement to us this morning is to take one small step towards prioritising listening to Jesus
Sacrificising some entertainment time and prioritise listening to Jesus
Sacrificising some sleep to prioritise listening to Jesus
It is true that Luke doesn’t specify what form listening to Jesus looks like.
But if Sundays and Grace Groups isn’t a priority of your week
It is worth thinking why.
Yes there may be very good reasons.
But are there distractions that prevent us from doing so?
Have we forgotten the importance of listening to him?
(Pause)
Q: We started by considering anxieties and troubles that we all face.
Seen: to understand the one thing necessary.
But there’s more encouragement to anxious Christians
The wrong thing say is the Lord is “Lord, do you not care?”
Instead the right thing to say is “When you pray, say, “Father in heaven, Hallowed by your name.”
To understand how that works, gotta come back next week.
For now, let’s pray as we consider Jesus’ words to us today
Luke 10:41–42 “But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.””
Our Father in Heaven, you know what is on our minds and see what is on our hearts.
Father, you know that we are often anxious and troubled by many things.
And so we thank you for your word to us today.
Meeting us where we are.
Addressing us in our need.
And so we ask that we might hear the words of your Son, and know that there is only one thing that is necessary.
So please help us to listen well to him.
in Jesus name, Amen.
